Senate Bill 597 (Stefano) – Provides the Auditor General with the ability to examine and audit accounting records and performances of any municipal authority. – Summary

Senate Bill 979 (Regan) – Amends Title 53 to allow for full-time local police officers employed with a local police force to purchase up to five years of pension service credit for prior full- or part-time police service. – Summary

House Bill 99 (Zimmerman) – Amends the Borough Code to allow boroughs to issue contracts during an emergency without advertising, bidding or price quotations and requires council to disclose the reasons at its next public hearing. Also adds electricity to existing list of utility services for boroughs not subject to advertising, bidding or price quotations. – Summary

Amendment A05235 (Blake) – Aligns the contract authorization language with that of the Second Class Township Code.

]]>HARRISBURG – Senators Scott Wagner (R-York), Scott Martin (R-Lancaster), Mike Folmer (R-Dauphin/Lebanon/York), Guy Reschenthaler (R-Allegheny/Washington), Mike Regan (R-Cumberland/York), and Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) announced today that they intend to introduce a zero-based budget reform bill that would require every state agency to build its budget from a starting point of zero dollars.

Known as zero-based budgeting, the bill will require state agencies to justify every dollar of spending. These reform-minded senators believe this budgeting method will find unrealized savings and efficiencies that can save taxpayers millions of dollars.

“Instead of doing the heavy lifting of finding savings and managing state agencies, Governor Wolf wants to raise taxes on hardworking Pennsylvanians,” Wagner said. “If we implement zero-based budgeting, state government can be responsible stewards of taxpayer money. We could balance our budget and start cutting waste.”

This bill would be a significant departure from traditional budgeting, whereby agencies base their projections on the prior year’s figures. Under the proposed budgeting process, state agencies would be required to submit:

The statutory legal justification for the agency and each activity within the agency.

An itemized account of expenditures required for the agency to operate at the minimum level of service required by statute.

An itemized account of expenditures required for the agency to operate at the current level of service.

Concise statements about the quantity and quality of services provided at both the current and minimum levels.

“We owe it to taxpayers to ensure every dollar they send to Harrisburg is used wisely and efficiently,” Senator Martin said. “Every public policy decision should be driven by what is best for the citizens and the taxpayers of Pennsylvania, and not by what a department or agency spent in the previous year.”

“The current budgeting system perpetuates bureaucracies and rewards inefficiency in government operations. Zero-based budgeting would ensure that state money is invested in programs that are necessary and would reward those agencies that operate efficiently. Currently, agencies are working under the philosophy that, ‘If we don’t spend the money by the end of the year we, we won’t get it next year.’ Zero-based budgeting specifically targets that problematic way of thinking,” Senator Laughlin said.

Zero-based budgeting offers real accountability in state government, which is something the sponsors say is needed in Harrisburg. The state’s credit has been downgraded twice in the last three years, putting Pennsylvania in the bottom five states in Standard & Poor’s ratings.

“We need to change the way we think about budgeting in Pennsylvania to better protect our taxpayers from these recurring ‘budget crises,’” Senator Reschenthaler stated. “Zero-based budgeting will use a more fiscally responsible, commonsense approach to budgeting. I look forward to working with my colleagues to better protect taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars in the Commonwealth.”

“Every day, families and businesses have to live within their means, and they do it by questioning every dollar they spend,” Senator Folmer said. “Government should do the same through zero-based budgeting that questions every expenditure before it’s made.”

“Adopting commonsense zero-based budgeting practices will restore transparency and accountability in government spending,” Senator Regan noted. “This tested and proven private-sector approach will empower the legislature to identify cost-reduction opportunities; scale back or eliminate obsolete programs; and redirect funding to services and programs where additional resources will enhance outcomes.”

The private sector is adopting zero-based budgeting today with Kraft-Heinz, Coca-Cola, Kellogg’s and Unilever using this method to ensure they are operating in the most cost-effective manner.

Senate Bill 529 would allow for the automatic sealing of low level, non-violent criminal offenses, eliminating the need for individuals to petition the court. This “clean slate” measure and a companion bill, House Bill 1419, are the first of their kind in the nation.

“More than one-third of the Commonwealth’s working-age citizens are estimated to have criminal records. Many have only minor offenses, such as misdemeanors, while others simply have arrests without conviction,” said Wagner. “As a business owner, I understand how this can be a barrier to employment and a better life. Removing that barrier will allow more Pennsylvanians to live as productive citizens.”

Under the legislation, misdemeanors would be sealed after 10 years of the individual being crime-free and as long as court obligations have been met. Non-convictions would be sealed after 60 days and fulfillment of court obligations.

It also exempts individuals with a sealed record from having to disclose criminal history records. This is often a huge hurdle for individuals attempting to obtain a job or housing.

The bills applies only to non-violent misdemeanors. Offenses that do NOT qualify under Clean Slate include:

Offenses involving danger to the person

Offenses against the family

Offenses relating to firearms and other dangerous articles

Offenses relating to registration of sexual offenders

A violation relating to indecent exposure

A violation relating to failure to comply with registration requirements

A violation relating to weapons or implements for escape

A violation relating to cruelty to animals; or

A violation relating to corruption of minors.

“In our fight for criminal justice reform, we’ve taken a great stride toward restoring the full benefit of citizenship to individuals with criminal backgrounds,” Williams said. “The ability to work and make meaningful contributions to society is at the core of our democracy. This bill will help millions do just that.”

Senate Bill 529 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Bill 656 (Fontana) – Bill Summary – Allows municipalities and municipal authorities to make public funds available to repair or replace contaminated private water lines for the benefit of the public water supply system or the public health.

Amendment A01988 – Allows municipalities and municipal authorities to make public funds available to repair or replace contaminated private water laterals and private sewer laterals for the benefit of the public health, water system, or sewer system

Senate Bill 252 (Vulakovich/Costa/Fontana) – Allows the Pittsburgh Parking Authority to enter into transactions with private developers through the allocation of a percentage of parking spaces for private projects.

Senate Bill 736 (Martin/Blake) – Authorizes the parking authorities in Second Class A and Third Class Cities to adjudicate disputed parking violation notices or citations issued through enforcement.

House Bill 422 (Gabler) – Updates eligibility provisions for First Class Township offices, aligns the procedure used to fill vacancies with other municipal codes, and provides for the filling of vacancies that result from a resignation.

House Bill 423 (Gabler) – Establishes a procedure for filling vacancies created as the result of a resignation of an elected Second Class Township official.

House Bill 1269 (Quigley) – Extends from 15 years to 20 years the timeframe for a municipal sewer authority serving five or more municipalities to complete infrastructure and facility projects funded by a sewer tapping fee.

The bills now go to the full Senate for consideration. You can view bill summaries and hearing video here.

House Bill 422 (Gabler) – Bill Summary – Amends the First Class Township Code to update eligibility provisions for township offices, align the procedure used to fill vacancies with other municipal codes, and provide for the filling of vacancies that result from a resignation.

House Bill 423 (Gabler) – Bill Summary – Amends the Second Class Township Code to establish a procedure for filling vacancies created as the result of a resignation of an elected official.

Senate Bill 252 (Vulakovich/Costa/Fontana) – Bill Summary – Allows the Pittsburgh Parking Authority to enter into transactions with private developers through the allocation of a percentage of parking spaces for private projects.

Senate Bill 736 (Martin/Blake) – Bill Summary – Authorizes parking authorities of Second Class A and Third Class Cities to administer and enforce motor vehicle related ordinances and resolutions including the adjudication of disputed parking violations and the collection of fines.

House Bill 1269 (Quigley) – Bill Summary – Extends from 15 years to 20 years the timeframe for a municipal sewer authority serving five or more municipalities to complete infrastructure and facility projects funded by a sewer tapping fee.

]]>Senate Local Government Committee Convenes, Approves Three Billshttp://28thdistrict.pasenategop.com/2017/06/07/senate-local-government-committee-convenes-approves-three-bills/
Wed, 07 Jun 2017 12:50:37 +0000http://www.senatorscottwagner.com/2017/06/07/senate-local-government-committee-convenes-approves-three-bills/The Senate Local Government Committee, chaired by Senator Scott Wagner (R-York), approved three bills today sponsored by members of the Local Government Commission.

Senate Bill 690, sponsored by Senator John Eichelberger, Commission Chairman, addresses an issue for municipalities without a mayor looking to divide into wards. Current law provides a mechanism for initial apportionment for local governments with a mayor but not for those without a mayor.

Senate Bill 691, sponsored by Senator Scott Hutchinson, ensures that time served on active military duty does not interfere with residency requirements of a person seeking a municipal elected office.

Senate Bill 693, sponsored by Senator Judy Schwank, allows political subdivisions and authorities to enter into contracts for services when two consecutive advertisements fail to garner bids. Current law covers only contracts for the purchase of goods and the sale of real and personal property when no bids are received.

Summaries of the bills are available on the Committee webpage. All three bills now go to the full Senate for consideration.

Termed “Clean Slate” legislation, SB 529 and its companion, House Bill 1419, are the first of their kind in the nation. The goal is to eliminate the hurdle that individuals with a criminal record face when seeking opportunities, particularly for employment.

“As a business owner I see firsthand the impact a criminal record can have on an individual’s attempt to obtain employment or advance their career,” Wagner said. “Someone who committed a minor offense 20 years ago should not still be judged for that crime today.”

This is the second year in a row that Wagner and Williams have joined forces to sponsor Clean Slate legislation and that the Senate Judiciary Committee has acted swiftly to consider the bill. Senator Greenleaf, Committee Chairman, is one of 26 co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle that recognize the importance of this proposal.

“The fact that Clean Slate legislation is moving through the General Assembly is a major step toward reforming our criminal justice system so that those who made mistakes will have the opportunity to become more prosperous and productive citizens,” said Williams. “That kind of progress is beneficial for everyone.”

Having worked to address concerns raised last session with the Pennsylvania State Police and the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts, both of which will play a role in implementing Clean Slate, Wagner and Williams are confident the legislation has the support needed to move quickly through the legislature.